(This is the directive of Brown’s campaign – to help those in need, to work in their own community, and to lead before ever getting to Washington. – promoted by David Dayen)

As many are aware, the fires ravaging Northern California have affected the lives of thousands. Yesterday, Charlie Brown headed north to Oroville to help with relief efforts for fire victims and evacuees.

scorched earth outside Oroville city limits

Our first stop was to the Oroville Rescue Mission on Lincoln Blvd. They have been collecting goods for the fire victims since the blazes began over 3 weeks ago. They, like other collection agencies in the area, are asking for the following items:

-summer clothing

-bottled water

-paper plates

-paper cups

-bath towels

-adult diapers

-canned & dry food

Oroville Rescue Mission van outside their HQ

Goods donated by the campaign team in Roseville

Charlie Brown sorting through the goods at the ORM

From the Oroville Rescue Mission, we moved on to the shelter set up at Las Plumas High School on Las Plumas Ave. The families there were eager to talk and help one another through this shared difficult time.

Outside Las Plumas High School, some families have set up tents rather than sleep in the gymnasium

As of right now, this is the closest some have to homes

Charlie loading water onto a cart

A message board inside the gym letting families and friends have a chance to communicate with each other

The Red Cross has done a fantastic job, but they still need help

With all the trouble afflicting our neighbors in Butte County, the amount of friendliness and generosity we’ve seen is inspiring. Helping hands unloading the Jeep, volunteers serving those in need, and complete strangers helping their brothers & sisters who have lost everything but the clothes on their backs.

One cannot say enough about the incredible work of the national guardsmen and firefighters–from across California and across the country–who are working around the clock to battle the California wildfires.

This has been a tough week for many of our neighbors, and our fellow Californians, but we can all take action to help those afflicted.

If you have the weekend off, take a load of bath towels up to Oroville. The Las Plumas Shelter hotline is 1-925-788-9821. They can tell you what the greatest need is. The Red Cross is coordinating all efforts to take care of our friends in Butte County, but they need all our help on this one.

Thank you all for reading.